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How to Convert an Upright Freezer for Fermentation

Home-brewing beer and ale requires close control of fermenting temperatures to achieve the proper flavor profile. Beer or ale fermented at too warm a temperature can have unwanted off-flavors. You can easily convert a standing freezer for controlling fermenting temperatures.

Things You'll Need

Line voltage temperature controller
Drill
1/4-inch bit
Expanding foam sealant

Instructions

Obtain a Temperature Controller
- 1
  Locate a prewired line voltage -- 110V in the United States -- temperature controller.
- 2
  Review the installation instructions that came with the controller.
- 3
  Determine how and where you plan to mount the controller to the freezer.
Prepare the Freezer
- 4
  Move the freezer to the location where you intend to use it.
- 5
  Remove the shelves and clean the freezer.
- 6
  Determine where you want to mount the temperature controller.
- 7
  Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the side of the freezer near the mounting location for the temperature controller. Be sure you don't pierce the refrigerant lines.
- 8
  Set the freezer or refrigerator temperature control for maximum cooling.
Prepare the Controller
- 9
  Mount the temperature controller on the side or top of the refrigerator, near the hole you drilled previously.
- 10
  Run the temperature probe through the hole in the side of the freezer.
- 11
  Fill the hole with expanding foam sealant.
- 12
  Plug the freezer into the temperature controller and plug the controller into the wall socket.
- 13
  Set the temperature controller for the desired fermenting temperature.

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